Things to do in Salt Lake City
Late spring and early fall bring mild, dry days ideal for both city walks and canyon hikes. Winter is cold and snowy, prime for world-class skiing in the Wasatch; summer is hot and dry in the valley but cooler at altitude in the mountains.
Best months: May, June, September, October
What is worth your time in Salt Lake City
Ensign PeakDo not miss
A short, steep trail above the Capitol to a historic summit with the best panorama of the city, valley, and Great Salt Lake.
Viewpoint · 1.1 hr4.8
Natural History Museum of UtahDo not miss
A striking copper-clad museum in the foothills with a world-class dinosaur hall and a rooftop terrace over the valley.
Museum · 2.8 hr4.8
Red Butte Garden and ArboretumDo not miss
Utah's largest botanical garden, with themed beds, a stream, and foothill trails that explode with wildflowers and a famous summer concert series.
Park · 2 hr4.8
Temple SquareDo not miss
The 10-acre heart of the city and the LDS faith, with the iconic granite Salt Lake Temple, the domed Tabernacle, and manicured gardens.
Landmark · 2.3 hr4.7
Tracy AviaryDo not miss
One of the oldest public aviaries in the country, with hundreds of birds and live flight shows inside leafy Liberty Park.
Activity · 1.9 hr4.7
Utah State CapitolDo not miss
A grand neoclassical Capitol on a hill with a copper dome, marble halls, and a sweeping view over the valley and the Wasatch.
Landmark · 1.5 hr4.7
Clark PlanetariumDo not miss
Free space exhibits, a Foucault pendulum, and a giant dome theater at The Gateway, a fun stop for families.
Museum · 1.5 hr4.6
Liberty ParkDo not miss
The city's grand 80-acre central park with tree-lined paths, a pond, a greenhouse, and the Tracy Aviary tucked inside.
Park · 1.5 hr4.6
This Is The Place Heritage ParkDo not miss
A living-history pioneer village at the mouth of Emigration Canyon marking the spot where Brigham Young first saw the valley.
Historic Site · 3 hr4.6
Utah's Hogle ZooDo not miss
A well-regarded zoo at the mouth of Emigration Canyon with elephants, big cats, and a popular African savanna.
Activity · 3.3 hr4.5
Abravanel Hall
A gilded, acoustically renowned concert hall, home of the Utah Symphony, glittering with Bohemian crystal chandeliers.
Cultural Experience · 2.5 hr4.8
Cathedral of the Madeleine
A Romanesque-Gothic Catholic cathedral with a vividly painted interior and one of the city's finest organ and choral programs.
Architecture · 53 min4.8
Donut Falls
A short, family-friendly hike in Big Cottonwood Canyon to a waterfall that pours through a hole in the rock.
Nature · 2.3 hr4.8
George S. and Dolores Dore Eccles Theater
A gleaming downtown theater with a soaring glass grand lobby, hosting Broadway tours and concerts.
Cultural Experience · 2.5 hr4.8
And 31 more, which the planner picks between based on your dates, pace and what you are into.
Worth knowing
- Salt Lake City sits at about 4,300 feet and the canyons rise far higher; hydrate well and ease into altitude before strenuous hikes.
- The Wasatch canyons (Big and Little Cottonwood) are 30 to 45 minutes away and hold the ski resorts and best summer trails; check seasonal road and avalanche closures.
- Ski season runs roughly late November to April; canyon hiking is best June through October once the snow clears.
- Utah's liquor laws are strict: full bars and restaurants serve alcohol but state-run liquor stores keep limited hours and are closed Sundays.
- Downtown is laid out on a wide, numbered grid radiating from Temple Square, and the free Green Line TRAX zone makes the core walkable and car-free.